The rest of the mobile phone market was lackluster, suggesting customers were trading in their older handsets for smartphones. The global market for all mobile phones grew just 1.2 per cent to 1.7 billion units, IDC said.

IDC said Samsung extended its dominance of the market in both smartphones and overall mobile phones.

The South Korean giant captured 29 per cent of the smartphone market, to Apple's 21.8 per cent, and 23 per cent of the overall market, ahead of Nokia's 17.9 per cent.

But a big surge came from Chinese manufacturers Huawei and ZTE, which broke into the top ranks of smartphone vendors thanks to growth in emerging markets, IDC said.

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Huawei grabbed 4.9 per cent of the smartphone market, making it the third largest, and ZTE was in fifth place with 4.3 per cent share, just behind Japan's Sony at 4.5 per cent.

"The fact that Huawei and ZTE now find themselves among the top five smartphone vendors marks a significant shift for the global market," said IDC analyst Ramon Llamas.

"Both companies have grown volumes by focusing on the mass market, but in recent quarters they have turned their attention toward higher-end devices. In addition, both companies have pushed the envelope in terms of industrial design with larger displays and smaller form factors, as well as innovative applications and experiences."

Research firm Strategy Analytics said its survey showed global smartphone shipments grew 43 per cent to 700 million units in 2012, with Samsung capturing more than 30 per cent of the market.

The report showed smartphones accounted for close to half of the 1.6 billion mobiles sold in 2012. With all phones combined, the market grew just two per cent, according to the report.

The report showed Apple holding 19.4 per cent of the global smartphone market, trailing Samsung at 30.4 per cent.

"Samsung and Apple together accounted for half of all smartphones shipped worldwide in 2012," said Linda Sui at Strategy Analytics.

"Large marketing budgets, extensive distribution channels and attractive product portfolios have enabled Samsung and Apple to tighten their grip on the smartphone industry."

Strategy Analytics data showed Nokia retained its position as the third largest smartphone vendor for 2012 but that its market share fell sharply from 16 per cent to five per cent.

ABI Research said in a separate report that 653 million smartphones were shipped during the year, more than 40 per cent of the 1.6 billion handsets.

That survey showed Samsung with 31 per cent of total smartphone shipments to 21 per cent for Apple. But ABI said Apple appears to be facing tougher competition.

"It is clear that the iPhone's hyper growth has ended, and ABI Research believes that Apple's market share will peak in 2013 at 22 per cent," said analyst Michael Morgan.